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Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) Parent OPT Out

From the Desk of Pamela Bisceglia

eVoice

Periodically AdvocacyDenver forwards concerns to the Colorado Department of Education regarding their policies, rules/guidance, including the state assessment Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS).  The requirement for academic standards and a method to “measure” student progress was first defined in No Child Left Behind and remains in place under the Every Child Succeeds Act.  It is said that if a state does not comply that they could lose federal funds.  Some time ago California Department of Education weighed the loss of instruction time, the social emotional toll that “high states assessments” take on their students, did away with their state assessment and said keep the pennies of federal funds.   

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Finding That Inspire Elementary School Principal Discriminated Against a Student Based on Race

eVoice

From The Desk of Pamela Bisceglia

On February 6, 2020, a complaint of discrimination was filed by a member of Denver Public School (“DPS”) staff against the Principal of Inspire Elementary School. The complaint was filed in accordance with DPS Board of Education policy AC. The complainant alleged that the Principal discriminated against the student based on race (Black) and disability. AdvocacyDenver appreciates the staff that stood firm advocating for the appropriate treatment of the student and forwarded the complaint of discrimination.

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Community Endorses a Board Resolution to Remove School Resource Officers and Review of Role and Responsibility and Actions of Denver Public Schools Safety and Security

eVoice

From The Desk of Pamela Bisceglia

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Dear Denver Public Schools Board of Education:

We are writing as advocates in the disability community to ask that you support the call of your colleagues, Tay Anderson and Jennifer Bacon, to end the human rights violations of school policing. In this historic moment spurred by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, we call on you to do what is right and just and vote to terminate the Denver Public Schools’ (DPS) contract with the Denver Police Department and remove all police from the DPS.

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Mental Health Crisis: Part 2, Long Term Competency

eVoice

From The Desk of Pamela Bisceglia

“Jane Doe” had charges brought against her January 2016 and June 2017.  She was released on bail.  A competency evaluation was ordered and in December 2017, it was determined she was not competent.  She was ordered to participate in a competency restoration program.  Competency restoration is the process used when an individual is found by a court to be incompetent to stand trial.  Simply put, “Jane Doe” must be restored to competency before the legal process can continue.  In November 2018, it was determined that competency could not be restored.  “Jane Doe” is labeled as having a dual diagnosis: an intellectual and developmental disability and mental health issues.  On July 9, 2019, “Jane Doe” was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.  On day three of her incarceration, “Jane Doe” was arraigned. The judge was privy to: her history, the list of her past charges, her competency evaluations and her return to the community. Now, because she is charged with aggravated assault, the court will no longer entertain her return to the community.  

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Mental Health Crisis: Part 1, Framing The Issues

eVoice

From The Desk of Pamela Bisceglia

While some maintain Denver Public Schools (DPS) offers students “equitable” opportunities, others assert the school-to-prison pipeline is alive and well in DPS. The partnership between DPS, Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) and what was the Division of Youth Corrections (currently known as the Division of Youth Services) provides new meaning to the school-to-prison pipeline. DPS charter school Rite of Passage is housed in youth correction facility in Watkins, Colorado. Thirty-five percent (or more) of the youth assigned to the facility are identified as having a disability (eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Ridge View Academy is a boys’ correction facility located in a remote area surrounded by fields. Ridge View Academy does not have a barbed wire fence, rather the youth understand if they run they will be sent to a more secure correction facility. DPS’ Board of Education approved the Rite of Passage charter school in 2001.

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Last Interview

Carrie Ann Lucas

From The Desk of Pamela Bisceglia

At different times, over the years, I had an opportunity to stand with Carrie Ann Lucas on issues important to the community of individuals with disabilities.  I cannot report that we were Facebook friends, we did not meet for lunch or dinner or discuss our personal lives.  I knew Carrie as a bright, firm, determined parent, attorney, advocate, and community leader.  If there was a question in relation to the rights of parents with disabilities, Carrie was the expert. 

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The Gift of A Lifetime

Don and Danny Morales
Don and Danny Morales

An Interview with Catherine Strode

For nearly 50 years, Don Morales has given his time and talent to support the needs of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. At 84 years old, Don currently serves as the Treasurer on AdvocacyDenver’s Executive Board. However, his history of service does not begin there nor does it end there. He has logged countless hours of volunteer time over the decades in order to raise funds and improve services for our community.

Don says the greatest advancements he has seen over the years has been children having the right to attend public schools. His service has been based on his passion to help individuals like his own son Danny. He says Danny, now 56 years old, has been a gift to his entire family. ”

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The Future of Denver’s Mill Levy Revenue Distribution

The revenue from Denver’s mill levy in 2018 is expected to be more than 17 million dollars. Rocky Mountain Human Services (RMHS) is currently under contract for distributing the mill levy monies. That contract is set to expire this summer on June 30. Any contract over $500,000 requires the approval of the City Council.

Denver Human Services (DHS) has been conducting a needs assessment survey to decide how to spend the mill levy revenue and what agency to contract with for implementing those decisions. DHS will be holding a public meeting on June 11th to share the results of the needs assessment survey.

In this EVOICE, AdvocacyDenver takes an in-depth look at the mill levy decision process with four different perspectives from decision makers, stakeholders, clients, and parents impacted by the outcome. Mill Levy Program Manager, Justin Sykes, says DHS has received over 250 survey responses. He emphasizes that DHS is supporting an open process for obtaining information from public output.

Interviews Conducted By Catherine Strode

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